Wasps are a common threat in UK gardens during summer, often ruining fun outdoor plans. They hover around bins and nestle in sheds, becoming a huge pest issue without homeowners even realising.

According to Elizabeth Adams, a storage and garden expert from UrbanLocker.co.uk, the problem often starts with poor outdoor habits. "Garden benches, sheds, cushion boxes, or anything with a lid or crevice can look like a ready-made nest site to a wasp," she warned. And it's not just about clutter; even "sugar residue on outdoor tables, rotting fruit under trees, or wet cushions shoved in a bench box" can lure them in.

Thankfully, there's a simple, natural remedy that's easy to make at home with just three ingredients - and it doesn't involve harsh chemicals or costly exterminators.

Elizabeth highlighted how her go-to DIY spray can repel wasps with ease, thanks to its strong scent and lingering presence on garden surfaces.

"These oils contain compounds that wasps find overwhelming. One quick spray around your seating area or shed door can keep them from building nests or hovering nearby," she explained.

The homemade mixture - made from 500ml of water, a tablespoon of dish soap, and a blend of geranium essential oil and clove - is cheap but effective.

At just £4.59 for the key ingredients, it's a low-cost solution that works best when applied every few days to decking, patio furniture, storage boxes, and anywhere wasps tend to linger.

But Elizabeth insists that the spray is only half the solution, as tidy storage and consistent upkeep are equally vital.

She said: "The key is not just sealing them up but using the right kind of storage," which means ditching cardboard boxes for airtight garden containers with secure clips and routinely checking for early signs of nests.